May 6 - 10

I can investigate evidence by analyzing the ink from different pens, using paper chromatography.

I can identify independent, dependent and controlled variables in science experiments.

(Grade 6 Science)

This week we started our new Evidence and Investigation unit! We began by testing our observation skills. We learned about selective attention after watching the following video. Students were quite surprised to see what they missed while watching the video the first time. 

There was a crime! (Pretend, of course) A notebook was vandalized with a black pen. Who could have been responsible for this nefarious act?! Was it Brooklyn with her Mr.Sketch marker? Matthew with his sharpie? Brendan with the Expo marker? Or Sarah with the Crayola marker?

Students learned that ink chromatography is a technique for separating the different colour pigments in an ink sample. Investigators can compare chromatography samples to ink used in a crime scene as a clue to solving a mystery. Ask your child what the independent, dependent, and controlled variables were in this experiment and also ask who the main suspect was!